Author Topic: Newbie looking for advice.  (Read 1470 times)

Offline BombshellCW

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Newbie looking for advice.
« on: February 08, 2019 - 06:13:19 PM »
Hey everyone, New member here.  Looking for more information on tucking the '73 'Cuda front bumper to look more like a '71.  I've looked at the other threads I've found while lurking and I cannot view the pics.  possibly because I haven't been fully approved yet?  Anyway, looking for pointers and tips before I buy parts.  Would really like to avoid buying items I don't need.  Here's a pic of the car I'm working on.  It's a 73 with a 70 header panel with the filler.  That's going to get changed before I do the bumper mod.  I have a 71 grill and headlight assemblies.  Have located a valance but still need turn signal assemblies.  Any input you folks have would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!




Offline 70chall440

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Re: Newbie looking for advice.
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2019 - 12:08:27 AM »
I cannot say positively, but I "believe" that there are issues with the fenders as well that must be addressed to do this conversion. Perhaps there is someone on here that knows the actual details of doing the conversion.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline BombshellCW

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Re: Newbie looking for advice.
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2019 - 12:16:35 AM »
Been reading a lot of other threads and it looks like I'll need a 70/71 front bumper and brackets.  I've got the grill and headlights covered.  The only fender difference I know of are the gills and the inner headlight supports.  Looking forward to hearing from someone who's done this before.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Newbie looking for advice.
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2019 - 01:01:25 AM »
As I stated, I am not positive about the fenders/grille/etc. As to the bumper aspect, that has been discussed quite a lot on this and other forums in terms of how to get the bumpers tight to the body. I went through this on my 73, however in my case I was using 72 bumpers which forced me to use 72 brackets, however I still had to modify them a significant amount to get them in tight.

In your case, I believe the if you want the 70/71 look you need those bumpers and the corresponding brackets. Again not positive on the differences between 70/71 brackets and bumpers but I know 72 is different as are 73/74.

I am sure someone will chime is with more accurate information on this.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline shadango

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Re: Newbie looking for advice.
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2019 - 05:01:00 PM »
My fish is a 72 and has the 70-71 bumpers/brackets front and rear....no "filler" in the rear...

I didnt do the conversion.....was like this when I bought the car as a roller....

But I do know that when I got new bumpers I got the 70-71 and they bolted right on. So I have to assume I have the 70-71 brackets.   

Offline 4Cruizn

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Re: Newbie looking for advice.
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2019 - 10:21:17 AM »
Yes you will need the 70/71 brackets and bumpers . . . I assume you know that the 70 valance is good for the 70 grill only . . . 71 grill will not fit!  That will need to be replaced . . . sorry about the pictures, older threads had the pictures removed to save on space with the server, has nothing to do with your approval. 


Offline jimynick

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Re: Newbie looking for advice.
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2019 - 01:39:50 PM »
As a Challenger guy, I can't help much on your Cuda questions, but welcome to the site and good luck with your conversion!

Offline 'Cuda Hunter

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Re: Newbie looking for advice.
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2019 - 04:25:22 PM »
You've got to do some search's on all the ebody sites.  There are many many threads that have the exact details of how to accomplish what your after.  Search and search again.  You'll find them. 
"All riches begin as a state of mind and you have complete control of your mind"  -- B. Lee

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Newbie looking for advice.
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2019 - 06:09:52 PM »
You've got to do some search's on all the ebody sites.  There are many many threads that have the exact details of how to accomplish what your after.  Search and search again.  You'll find them.

 :iagree:
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline E-Body Products

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Re: Newbie looking for advice.
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2019 - 09:13:01 PM »
70-71 brackets and bumper
71 lower valance and filler panel
You said you have the fenders figure out for 71 grill conversion and you are replacing the header panel with a 71 header panel. Sounds like you got this!!


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Offline BombshellCW

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Re: Newbie looking for advice.
« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2019 - 12:55:43 AM »
It took some research and modification, but since the car was already painted I didn't want to change the front header panel. I drilled out the spot welds and did some delicate trimming and removed the 1970 lower lip and brackets. While I had it upside down I noticed it had a made in Taiwan sticker on it. No big loss there. I discovered my fenders are 1970 to match my header panel. This car has had some major changes in the past. I found a 71 only Valance I got from a new friend. I have a 70 bumper coming in the mail from eBay. It's coming with the brackets installed already. I'll post some pictures when I get to put together next week. Front rear Valance is in paint right now. Currently I'm trying to figure out why the shifter on my Tremec 5-speed doesn't fit correctly and why my wipers only work for about 2 wipes then quit.  I'm going to start a new thread for those. Thanks for your help everybody!